Word
feud
US/ˈfjud/
UK/fjˈuːd/
Definitions
01long-standing hostility
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a bitter argument or fight between two groups that lasts for a very long time.
n. a state of long-standing mutual hostility, typically between families or clans, often involving retaliatory acts.
“The two families have been involved in a bitter feud over land for generations.”
“The historical feud between the two clans was finally settled through a diplomatic marriage that united their commercial interests.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'start', 'settle', or 'end'.
Antonyms
02professional wrestling
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Informal · Technical
n. a fake or planned rivalry between two performers in professional wrestling.
n. a scripted rivalry between wrestlers used to create drama and interest for the audience.
“The fans loved the feud between the champion and his former partner.”
“The promotion's ratings spiked during the six-month feud, culminating in a high-stakes match at the annual pay-per-view event.”
03feudal estate
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Archaic · Technical
n. land given to a person by a lord in exchange for work or military service in the Middle Ages.
n. an estate of land granted by a lord to a vassal on condition of homage and service.
“The knight was granted a feud by the king after the successful battle.”
“Under the medieval legal system, the holder of the feud was required to provide forty days of military service annually to his superior lord.”
Synonyms
04to be in a fight
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be involved in a long and angry argument with someone.
v. to carry on a prolonged and bitter quarrel or conflict.
“The two famous singers have been feuding on social media for months.”
“The two departments have been feuding over the budget allocation since the start of the fiscal year, stalling several key projects.”
Usage
Intransitive verb; usually takes the preposition 'with' or 'over'.
Real-World Examples
“Opening statements in the trial transported a Las Vegas jury back in time to 1990s hip-hop, filled with rap feuds, gang street violence and a distrust in police.” “The feud between the two figures comes as US-Israeli talks on the Gaza ceasefire deal are stalling.” Etymology
Inherited from Northern Middle English fede, feide, from Old French faide, feide, fede, from Proto-West Germanic faihiþu (“hatred, enmity”) (corresponding to foe + -th), from Proto-Indo-European peyḱ- (“hostile”). Cognate to Old English fǣhþ, fǣhþu, fǣhþo (“hostility, enmity, violence, revenge, vendetta”), German Fehde, and Dutch vete (“feud”) (directly inherited from Proto-West Germanic) alongside Danish fejde (“feud, enmity, hostility, war”) and Swedish fejd (“feud, controversy, quarrel, strife”) (borrowed from Middle Low German).
From Medieval Latin feudum. Doublet of fee, fief, and feoff.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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